Barrier

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a barrier comprising a plurality of individual barrier units in a linear arrangement and a relatively rigid energy transfer means wherein the energy transfer means comprises at least one continuous member extending along the length of the plurality of individual barrier units that is connected to each individual barrier unit in the plurality, such that when a force is applied to one individual barrier unit in the plurality, the energy transfer means transfers part of the energy associated with the applied force to other individual barrier units in the plurality of individual barrier units. Also provided is the use of such a barrier to resist vehicle ramming attacks, a method of deploying such a barrier and a kit containing the components of such a barrier.

This application is a national stage application of International PatentApplication No. PCT/GB2016/053424, filed Nov. 3, 2016, which claimspriority to Great Britain patent Application No. 1519427.7, filed Nov.3, 2015. The entirety of the aforementioned applications is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention concerns a barrier comprising a plurality ofindividual barrier units in a linear arrangement and a relatively rigidenergy transfer means. The barrier may be used to resist vehicle rammingattack.

BACKGROUND

Barriers intended to deal with vehicle collisions are well known in theart. In some applications, such as in military applications, barriersare required to prevent the vehicle from breaking through the barrieri.e. to be resistant to vehicle ramming attack. Otherwise, the vehicleitself or other subsequent vehicles can launch further attacks once thebarrier has been breached. Standard testing for such barriers is wellknown in the art, for example by measuring the resistance of the barrierto an impact of a 15,000 lb truck travelling at 22.35 m/s.

Barriers currently used for this purpose include rows of concreteblocks, with each block connected to the blocks adjacent to it. Theconcrete is sufficiently heavy that it is resistant to vehicle rammingattack. However, such barriers require water in order to make theconcrete, which is not always available.

Various barrier elements are known in the art. For example, WO90/12160discloses a gabion barrier that can be filled with concrete, wherein aconcrete reinforcing rod can pass through the gabion baskets. GB2512336discloses a gabion barrier comprising a row of gabions and a row ofposts and panels supported by the gabions. The posts may be supported byconcrete blocks engaged with the fill material. WO01/11146 discloses abarrier system comprising abutting barrier elements and a longitudinallyextending guard mounted thereon.

GB2440145 discloses a barrier formed from vehicle tyres arranged to forma tube that are secured together using straps, wires or cord, or by asupport frame or a wrap of material such as plastic sheeting or a meshsleeve. JP2004230697 discloses a row of logs arranged in parallel andsurrounded with steel band members which are attached to each of thelogs. EP0202552 discloses a space element that can be used to reinforceslopes comprising latticework baskets that may be spaced apart by a rod.

There is also a requirement for barriers to be simple and fast todeploy, as well as being easy to move, if desired. Again, this isparticularly important in military applications. The concrete wallsknown in the art do not fulfill these requirements.

There is therefore a requirement for an easily deployable barrier thathas an improved resistance to vehicle ramming attack, specifically abarrier that can absorb almost 1100 kJ of energy without beingcompromised.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention there is provided a barriercomprising a plurality of individual barrier units in a lineararrangement and a relatively rigid energy transfer means, wherein theenergy transfer means comprises at least one continuous member extendingalong the length of the plurality of individual barrier units that isconnected to each individual barrier unit in the plurality, such thatwhen a force is applied to one individual barrier unit in the plurality,the energy transfer means transfers part of the energy associated withthe applied force to other individual barrier units in the plurality ofindividual barrier units.

The force applied to one individual barrier unit in the plurality may bethe result of a collision between an object and the barrier unit,wherein the object may be a vehicle. The barrier units may be placed ona surface and the force applied to the individual barrier unit may beperpendicular to the length of the plurality of individual compartmentsand parallel to said surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference tothe figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a barrier according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the energy transfer means of thebarrier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates the way in which the energy transfer means of thebarrier of FIG. 1 is connected to the individual barrier units;

FIG. 4 illustrates a friction increasing means according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of a barrier according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an energy transfer meansthat can be used in the present invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an energy transfer meansthat can be used in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is generally understood that two simple idealisations of collisionsbetween two objects are possible, namely elastic and inelasticcollisions. As the vehicle and the barrier unit remain in contact afterthe collision, this interaction may be considered to be an inelasticcollision as the kinetic energy associated with the vector of the impactis not conserved.

The absorption of this kinetic energy is determined by the massesinvolved in the collision. However, it is known that if the weight ofthe individual barrier units is too great then the barrier tends not toslide along the surface on which it is placed, but instead experiences apunching shear effect localised at the point of impact as the inertialmass of the adjoining cells is too high. This reduces the barrier'sability to resist a vehicle ramming attack.

The energy transfer means in the present invention enhances theconnection between the individual barrier units, thereby increasing theeffective mass of the system without requiring an increase in mass ofthe individual barrier units. In other words, by connecting the barrierunits with the energy transfer means, it is no longer only the mass ofthe barrier unit involved in the collision that is relevant but the massof all of the barrier units in the plurality connected by the energytransfer means. This reduces the kinetic energy that must be absorbedthrough the work of sliding and increases the sliding resistance,thereby reducing the length of slide required to absorb the kineticenergy. This therefore increases the barrier's ability to resist avehicle ramming attack.

The arrangement of the present invention means that if a force isapplied to an individual barrier unit, such as a vehicle colliding withthe barrier unit, the energy transfer means is engaged and acts to pullthe other barrier units in the plurality in the direction of the force.The energy transfer means therefore connects the plurality of barrierunits such that in combination, the plurality of barrier units and theenergy transfer means act as a single energy transfer system. This actsto dissipate the energy involved in the collision, thereby increasingthe barrier's resistance to ramming attack.

Preferably, the energy transfer means transfers a majority of the energyassociated with the applied force (i.e. over 50% of the energy). Evenmore preferably, the energy transfer means transfers almost all of theenergy associated with the applied force (i.e. over 80% or over 90% ofthe energy).

The use of numerous barrier units to form the barrier means that thebarrier can be deployed quickly and easily. The length of the barrier isvariable, depending on the number of barrier units. The plurality ofbarrier units in the barrier can be of any number and thus the barriercan be of indefinite length. Additionally, the linear arrangement of thebarrier units does not have to be a straight linear arrangement.Instead, the units may be positioned to allow the linear barrier tocurve or change direction, so as to avoid any obstacles that may bepresent as the barrier is deployed.

Preferably, the plurality includes three or more barrier units. Thismeans that barriers that are sufficiently long for their intended usecan be deployed easily and quickly. Additionally, this means that anyenergy associated with a force applied to a barrier unit can betransferred to a number of other barrier units. For example, if a forceis applied to a central barrier unit of the three or more barrier units,the energy associated with the force may be distributed in bothdirections along the barrier.

The barrier units are the units that create the front of the barrier,the front being one of the elongate surfaces of the linear barrier,perpendicular to the surface on which the barrier is placed (i.e. notthe top or bottom of the barrier), to which a force is likely to beapplied. This front is preferably continuous, with no space betweenadjacent barrier units. It is therefore the barrier units themselvesthat create the obstacle, while the energy transfer means merelyconnects the units and preferably does not contribute to the obstaclecreated by the barrier.

By “relatively rigid”, it is meant that the energy transfer means is notreadily deformed by weak forces, such as those experienced while thebarrier is being deployed. However, strong forces, such as thoseinvolved in the collision of a vehicle with the barrier, may act to atleast partially deform the energy transfer means. This term is thereforeintended to cover means such as wires, which may demonstrate somedeformation on the application of strong forces, as long as they are notdeformed during the deployment of the barrier.

The energy transfer means may comprise a bar, a rod, a wire, a hollowtubing or another elongate member which can extend along the pluralityof the individual barrier units, such as that used in motorway crashbarriers seen in central reservations (Armco Barriers). Preferably, abar is used as it experiences less stretching when a force is appliedcompared to other arrangements, such as wire. The energy transfer meansmay be flat, for example a flat bar.

The energy transfer means may be made out of a metal, such as steel,alloys or a woven material such as a canvas netting. If steel is used,this is preferably high tensile steel. Rods made from these materialsare considered sufficiently rigid to form the energy transfer means ofthe present invention. The energy transfer means may comprise two ormore elongate members, which may be connected to one another at thepoint at which the energy transfer member is attached to the individualbarrier units. By “elongate”, it is meant that the continuous means hasa length sufficient to extend along the length of the barrier.Preferably, the length of the continuous means is its longest dimension.

By “continuous”, it is meant that the energy transfer means acts as asingle member to transfer the energy associated with the applied force.The energy transfer means may comprise a continuous rod (or otherelongate members), or may comprise two or more rods (or other elongatemembers) connected together to form a continuous energy transfer means.The two or more elongate members may have different lengths. In thissecond embodiment, the connection must be sufficiently strong that theenergy transfer means acts as a single member to transfer the energyassociated with the applied force, so that there is no reduction ofenergy transfer at the connection. In other words, the elongate memberitself must break before the connection between adjacent elongatemembers does, so no energy is lost at the connection.

The energy transfer means being “connected to each individual barrierunit” requires a connection between the energy transfer means and eachbarrier unit, which retains the energy transfer means in a positionrelative to each individual barrier unit in the plurality. The movementof the energy transfer relative to each barrier unit is thereforerestricted, due to the connection between the energy transfer means andthe barrier unit in question. Preferably, the energy transfer meanscannot move relative to each barrier unit.

Preferably, the elongate member is the same either side of theconnection, i.e. two identical elongate members are attached by theconnection. This helps to increase the energy transfer along the energytransfer means.

The connection between adjacent elongate members may be any suitableconnection known in the art, such as a nut or clamp arrangement. If theenergy transfer means comprises a hollow metal tube, such as a squarehollow metal tube, the connection may comprise an overlapping region ofadjacent tubes, wherein the end of one tube fits inside the end of theadjacent tube. Holes may be present in one or more side walls of bothends, which are then aligned when the ends of the tubes overlap. Pinscan then be placed into the holes to hold the tubes together.

The connection may comprise a hole through the end of the energytransfer means. In this embodiment, the energy transfer means preferablycomprises a flat surface, for example is a flat bar. A correspondinghole on the adjacent energy transfer means is aligned with said hole anda locking member is then inserted through both holes. The locking membercan be fastened using known fastening means such as nuts and bolts.

The elongate member may be threaded. This can help to connect two ormore elongate members together to form an energy transfer means, as wellas helping to connect the energy transfer means to the individualbarrier units.

The energy transfer means may extend along the front and/or along theback of the plurality of individual barrier units. The front and backare defined as the two elongate surfaces of the linear barrier,perpendicular to the surface on which the barrier is placed (i.e. notthe top or bottom of the barrier). In other words, the energy transfermeans may extend along one or both of the elongate surfaces of thelinear barrier. The front surface is intended to refer to the surface towhich a force is to be applied, while the back surface is the surfaceopposite the front surface.

Preferably, the energy transfer means extends along the front of theplurality of individual barrier units. In another embodiment, thebarrier comprises a first energy transfer means extending along thefront of the plurality of individual barrier units and a second energytransfer means extending along the back of the plurality of individualbarrier units. The first and second energy transfer means may be thesame or different in construction.

This further increases the effective mass of the barrier and ensures amore efficient transfer of energy from the individual barrier unit towhich the force is applied to the other barrier units in the plurality.

The energy transfer means may be present within the barrier units oralong the outer face of the barrier. Including the energy transfer meansinternally in the barrier units means that no surface is provided on theoutside of the barrier that may help an individual climb over it.

The energy transfer means may be positioned at a height such that thechassis of a vehicle would not hit the energy transfer means.Preferably, the energy transfer means comprises at least two elongatecontinuous members and is positioned at a height such that the chassisof a vehicle would impact the barrier between the two elongate membersof the energy transfer means, such as between two rods. This would meanthat the vehicle may be lifted off the ground on collision with thebarrier, thereby reducing the energy that is applied to the barrier bythe collision.

The barrier may further comprise connecting means that connect anindividual barrier unit in the plurality to at least one adjacentbarrier unit. The barrier may comprise a plurality of connecting means,with each connecting means connecting an individual barrier unit to oneadjacent barrier unit. In this embodiment, it is the connecting meansthat maintain the barrier units in position relative to one another andthe energy transfer means that acts to transfer part of the energyassociated with an applied force to other individual barrier units inthe plurality of individual barrier units. Such connecting means may beany known in the art, such as screws, bolts, clamps or any otherindustry standard component joining mechanism. This further increasesthe efficiency of the energy transfer from the individual barrier unitto which the force is applied to the other barrier units in theplurality. This also increases the ease with which the barrier may bedeployed.

The barrier may be surface mounted, i.e. extend less than four inchesinto a surface on which it is placed. Surface mounted barriers are easyand fast to deploy when compared to barriers that are integrated withthe ground, such as those including posts that extend into the surfaceon which the barrier is placed. Additionally, such barriers can readilybe moved, if desired. The increase in energy transfer of the arrangementof the present invention means that a surface mounted barrier caneffectively resist a vehicle ramming attack.

The individual barrier units may comprise containers, such as gabions.The containers or gabions may be open-topped or may comprise a lid.Possible structures of suitable gabions are well known in the art andare generally made from wire mesh panels, which form side walls and abase, thereby creating a gabion cage. The gabion may include a higherfront panel relative to the back panel, which would make it harder foran individual to overcome the barrier. Suitable barrier arrangements areshown, for example, in WO2008/020247, WO2007/060476 and WO2011/012879.

In this embodiment, the connecting means (if present) may comprisehelical coils wound between the wire mesh of the adjacent barrier units,thereby connecting the two. Such arrangements are cheap and easy tomanufacture and are well known in the art.

In this embodiment, the energy transfer means may extend through theholes in the wire mesh of the gabion side walls. This helps to maintainthe energy transfer means in the correct position and is cheap and easyto manufacture. Additionally, this means that the energy transfer meansis present within the barrier units. As discussed above, this preventsthe formation of a surface on the outside of the barrier that may helpan individual climb over it.

The energy transfer means may be connected to each individual barrierunit using a nut, a clamp or other fastening means that are known in theart. Additionally, a plate may be positioned between individual barrierunits. The energy transfer means can then extend through the plate,which may be made of metal or an alloy. This is particularly beneficialif the individual barrier units comprise side walls, such as are presentin gabions. In this case, the plate may be placed between side walls ofadjacent individual barrier units and the nut or other fastening meansmay be attached to the energy transfer means on the opposite side of theside wall, i.e. inside the gabion cage.

The barrier units may comprise further components, in addition to thegabion or other container. For example, one or more supports may beconnected to the gabion or other container, which may extend higher thanthe height of the gabion or other container. The support may comprise apost, which may be vertical and may further comprise a base portion. Thesupport may act as a brace. A fence panel may be attached to saidsupport at the front of the barrier unit, which may increase the heightof the front of the barrier unit. The energy transfer means may beconnected to the support. The connection may comprise a nut, a clamp oranother fastening means. The barrier unit may comprise one or moregabions or other containers that are connected together.

The gabions may be lined, optionally with a geotextile material. Thegabions may be double-lined. A fill material can then be used to fillthe gabion to increase the mass of the individual barrier units. Fillmaterials such as a well graded sand or rock can be used. This meansthat fill materials that are readily available at the site of deploymentcan be used, such as desert fill.

Additionally or alternatively, the gabions may include a flexible bagwithin the gabion cage. This bag may be at least partially filled with afill material either before or after it is placed within the gabion. Thefill materials may be as described above.

Preferably, the flexible bag is a fluted bag. Fluted bags include amember within the bag that internally connects one wall to an adjacentwall. This helps the bag to maintain its shape once filled, as squarebags without these members expand towards a circular configuration whenfilled. In contrast, the members hold the walls in the desiredconfiguration, so that they are easier to place within the gabion cage.

Preferably, the flexible bag or the lining material comprises a lid.This acts to prevent the fill material from escaping the bag or linerwhen a force is applied to the barrier unit, thereby maintaining theweight of the barrier.

The flexible bag may be positioned towards the rear of the gabion cage.As discussed above, the rear of the gabion is the elongate side of thelinear barrier opposite that to which the force is to be applied.

The barrier may further comprise an additional plurality of individualbarrier units in a linear arrangement, extending parallel to the firstplurality and in contact therewith. Preferably, the second plurality ofindividual barrier units extends along the rear of the first plurality.The barrier units in the second plurality may be the same as ordifferent to those in the first plurality. This arrangement allowsenergy to be transferred from the barrier unit to which the force isapplied to the second plurality of individual barrier units as well asthe first, thereby further improving the resistance of the barrier tovehicle ramming attack. The second plurality of barrier units alsoreduces the risk of the first plurality of barrier units rollingbackwards upon impact, which can reduce the efficiency of the energytransfer and can result in the barrier being breached.

In one embodiment, the second plurality of individual barrier units isstaggered compared to the first plurality of individual units, such thatthe connections between adjacent individual barrier units within eachplurality do not fall at the same points along the length of thebarrier. This further improves the strength of the barrier, therebyimproving the resistance of the barrier to vehicle ramming attack.

The second plurality of individual barrier units may be connected to thefirst plurality of individual barrier units. Such connection means maybe any means known in the art and may be the same means as is used toconnect adjacent individual barrier units within the first and/or secondplurality of individual barrier units, as discussed above.

The second plurality of individual barrier units may comprise gabions,which may include a bag, as discussed above in relation to the firstplurality of individual barrier units. In this case, the bag may bepositioned towards the front of the gabion cage. As discussed above, thefront of the barrier is the elongate side of the linear barrier closestthat to which the force is to be applied.

In the embodiment in which the barrier comprises two adjacent andparallel linear arrangements of pluralities of gabions, the gabions inboth pluralities may include a bag. In this case, the bags may bepositioned in the gabion cage towards the side of each plurality ofgabions adjacent to the other plurality of gabions.

One or more individual barrier unit may also comprise a frictionincreasing means on its base. The base is the side of the barrier unitin contact with the surface on which the barrier is deployed. Thisbarrier unit may be part of the first plurality of individual barrierunits and/or the second plurality of individual barrier units (ifpresent). The friction increasing means extends from the base of theindividual barrier unit towards a surface on which the barrier isplaced. The friction increasing means can therefore interact with asurface on which the barrier is placed. This increases the frictionbetween the barrier and the surface, thereby helping to transfer theenergy associated with the force applied to an individual barrier unitaway from the individual barrier unit to which it is applied.

Preferably, the friction increasing means is present on all of theindividual barrier units in the barrier. The friction increasing meansmay be any means that extends from the base of the individual barrierunit. The friction increasing means may comprise bolts that extend fromthe base of the barrier unit. In the case where the barrier unit is awire mesh gabion, the bolts may extend through a plate, which may be aflat bar plate, on the inside of the gabion cage and then through theholes in the wire mesh. The bolts (or any other friction increasingmeans) may be held in place by the weight of the fill material placedwithin the gabion cage, or may be attached to the base of the barrierunit.

Additionally or alternatively, the friction increasing means maycomprise a metal grid with one or more angled surface, such as anexpanded sheet metal. The angled surfaces extend from the base of thebarrier unit and may dig into the surface on which the barrier is placedwhen a force is applied.

The friction increasing means may be positioned towards the rear of thebarrier. This may allow the front of the barrier to lift up as a force,such as a vehicle ramming attack, is applied to the barrier.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is providedthe use of the barrier discussed above to resist vehicle rammingattacks. A trench may be created in front of the barrier in order todecrease and disrupt the amount of energy with which a vehicle cancollide with the barrier. This therefore increases the resistance of thebarrier arrangement to vehicle ramming attacks.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of deploying a barrier comprising the steps of deploying aplurality of individual barrier units in a linear arrangement to form abarrier and connecting the plurality of individual barrier units with arelatively rigid energy transfer means, wherein the energy transfermeans comprises at least one continuous member extending along thelength of the plurality of individual barrier units that is connected toeach individual barrier unit in the plurality.

This method is quick and easy and provides a barrier with an increasedresistance to vehicle ramming attack, as when a force is applied to oneindividual barrier unit in the plurality, the energy transfer meanstransfers part of the energy associated with the applied force to otherindividual barrier units in the plurality of individual barrier units.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda kit comprising a plurality of barrier units that can be positioned ina linear arrangement having a length, as well as a relatively rigidenergy transfer means wherein the energy transfer means comprises atleast one continuous member that can extend along the length of theplurality of individual barrier units and that can be connected to eachindividual barrier unit in the plurality such that when a force isapplied to one individual barrier unit in the plurality, the energytransfer means transfers part of the energy associated with the appliedforce to other individual barrier units in the plurality of individualbarrier units.

The energy transfer means may comprise two or more rods (or otherelongate members) connected together to form a continuous energytransfer means. The two or more elongate members may have differentlengths. This allows the connection between the elongate members to bepositioned away from the connection between adjacent barrier units.

FIG. 1 illustrates a barrier 1 comprising a plurality of individualbarrier units 2, connected by an energy transfer means 3. The barrierunits 2 comprise wire mesh gabions in which the front panel 2 a is of agreater height than the rear panel 2 b. Inside the barrier units 2 is aflexible bag 4 that is filled with a fill material 5. Each barrier unit2 is connected to an adjacent barrier unit 2 using helical coils (notshown), which are wound through the holes in the wire mesh.

The energy transfer means 3 comprises two threaded metal rods 3 a whichextend the length of the barrier 1, inside the barrier units 2. Thisensures that no surface is provided on the surface of the barrier 1 thatwould help an individual climb the barrier. The front of the barrier 1is the elongate side that comprises the taller front panels 2 a, as thisis the side at which the force is to be applied. The energy transfermeans 3 therefore extends along the front of the barrier 1.

The energy transfer means 3 is connected to each individual barrier unit2 at the interface between adjacent barrier units 2 using a metal plate6 and nuts 7. The metal plate 6 is placed between the side walls ofadjacent barrier units 2 and the energy transfer means 3 extends throughthe metal plate 6. Nuts 7 are attached to the energy transfer means 3 onthe inside of each barrier unit 2 (at the inside of the gabion cage),thereby attaching the energy transfer means 3 to the individual barrierunits 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the energy transfer means 3 ofthe barrier 1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the energy transfermeans 3 extends through the holes in the wire mesh of the barrier units2. At the end of the barrier 1 a, a metal plate 6 is attached to thebarrier unit 2, through which the energy transfer means is threaded.Nuts 7 are attached to the energy transfer means 3 at the outside of thebarrier unit 2, so as to keep the energy transfer means 3 in position.

FIG. 3 illustrates the connection between the energy transfer means 3and the individual barrier units 2 in more detail. The metal plate 6 ispositioned between the adjacent individual barrier units 2, with theenergy transfer means 3 extending through holes therein. The metal plate6 is therefore outside the barrier units 2. Nuts 7 are attached to theenergy transfer means 3 on the inside of the barrier units 2. The nuts 7hold the energy transfer means 3 in position relative to the barrierunits 2 and the metal plate 6, thereby connecting the energy transfermeans 3 to both barrier units 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the friction increasing means of thepresent invention, which can be used in combination with the barriershown in FIG. 1. Friction increasing means 8 comprises a metal plate 9and bolts 10. The bolts 10 extend through holes in the metal plate 9.The friction increasing means 8, when used in combination with thebarrier shown in FIG. 1 is placed inside the gabion cage of the barrierunits, with the protruding end of the bolts facing downwards. Theseprotruding ends extend through the wire mesh of the base of the gabioncage. The flexible bag and the fill material are then placed over themetal plate 9 and the heads of the bolts 10. This keeps the bolts 10 andthe metal plate 9 in position, thereby ensuring that the bolts 10 caninteract with a surface on which the barrier is placed when a force isapplied to the barrier. This increases the coefficient of frictionbetween the barrier and the surface on which it is placed, therebyincreasing its resistance to vehicle ramming attacks.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention. Barrier11 is shown, which comprises a first plurality of individual barrierunits 12, connected by an energy transfer means (not shown). The barrierunits 12 comprise wire mesh gabions in which the front panel 12 a is ofa larger height than the rear panel 12 b. Inside the barrier units 12 isa flexible bag 14 that is filled with a fill material 15. Each barrierunit 12 is connected to an adjacent barrier unit 12 using helical coils(not shown), which are wound through the holes in the wire mesh.

The energy transfer means (not shown) comprises a threaded metal rodwhich extends the length of the barrier 11, as in FIG. 1. The front ofthe barrier 11 is the elongate side that comprises the taller frontpanels 12 a, as this is the side at which the force is to be applied.The energy transfer means therefore extends along the front of thebarrier 11.

The energy transfer means (not shown) is connected to each individualbarrier unit 12 at the interface between adjacent barrier units 12 usinga metal plate 16. This metal plate 16 is placed between the side wallsof adjacent barrier units 12 and the energy transfer means extendsthrough the metal plate 16. Nuts 17 are attached to the energy transfermeans on the inside of each barrier unit 12, thereby attaching theenergy transfer means to the individual barrier units 12.

Barrier 11 further comprises a second plurality of individual barrierunits 18. This second plurality extends along the rear of the barrier 11(i.e. the side opposite that along which the energy transfer meansextends and to which the force is to be applied). The second pluralityof individual barrier units 18 are similar in construction to the firstplurality of individual barrier units 12, except that the front panel 18a is the same height as the rear panel 18 b.

The second plurality of individual barrier units 18 is staggered inrelation to the first plurality of individual barrier units 12, suchthat the connections between adjacent individual barrier units (12 c, 18c) within each plurality (12, 18) do not fall at the same points alongthe length of the barrier 11.

FIG. 6 illustrates energy transfer means 21 which comprises squarehollow metal tubes 22. One end of each tube 22 has a narrower portion23, which fits inside the end 24 of the adjacent tube 22. Both ends ofthe tube 22 comprise holes 25.

When connecting the tubes 22, the narrow portion 23 of one tube 22 isinserted through plate 26, which may be positioned in between the gabionunits if the energy transfer means 21 is used in combination with thebarriers shown in FIG. 1 or 5. The narrow portion 23 of the tube 22 isthen inserted into the end 24 of an adjacent tube 22, so that holes 25on each of the tubes 22 align with one another. Pins 27 can then beinserted into holes 25 to hold the tubes 22 in position.

FIG. 7 illustrates energy transfer means 31, which comprises flat bars32. Both ends of each flat bar 32 comprise a hole 35. When connectingthe flat bars 32, the ends of the flat bars 32 overlap such that theholes 35 are aligned. A locking member 37 can then be inserted throughthe holes 35 and held in position using fastening means 38.

1. A barrier comprising a plurality of individual barrier units in a linear arrangement and a relatively rigid energy transfer means wherein the energy transfer means comprises at least one continuous member extending along the length of the plurality of individual barrier units that is connected to each individual barrier unit in the plurality such that when a force is applied to one individual barrier unit in the plurality, the energy transfer means transfers part of the energy associated with the applied force to other individual barrier units in the plurality of individual barrier units.
 2. The barrier according to claim 1, wherein the energy transfer means comprises a rod or other elongate structure.
 3. The barrier according to claim 1, wherein the energy transfer means extends along the front and/or along the back of the plurality of individual barrier units.
 4. The barrier according to claim 3, wherein the barrier comprises one energy transfer means along the front of the plurality of individual barrier units and a second energy transfer means along the back of the plurality of individual barrier units.
 5. The A barrier according to claim 1, further comprising connecting means that connect the individual barrier units in the plurality to at least one adjacent individual barrier unit.
 6. The barrier according to claim 1, wherein the barrier is surface mounted.
 7. The barrier according to claim 1, wherein the individual barrier units comprise gabions including wire mesh side walls.
 8. The barrier according to claim 7, wherein the energy transfer means extends through the holes in the wire mesh of the gabion side wall and is connected to each gabion using a plate positioned between side walls of adjacent gabions, through which the energy transfer means extends, with a nut included on the opposite side of each of the gabion side walls.
 9. The barrier according to claim 7, wherein the gabion comprises a flexible bag, positioned towards the rear of the gabion.
 10. The barrier according to claim 1, further comprising a second plurality of individual barrier units in a linear arrangement, extending parallel to the first plurality and in contact with the rear of the first plurality.
 11. The barrier according to claim 10, wherein the second plurality of individual barrier units is staggered compared to the first plurality of individual units, such that the connections between adjacent individual barrier units within each plurality do not fall at the same points along the length of the barrier.
 12. The A barrier according to claim 10, wherein the second plurality of individual barrier units is connected to the first plurality of individual barrier units.
 13. The barrier according to claim 1, wherein at least one individual barrier unit includes a friction increasing means on the base of the barrier unit, which can interact with a surface on which the barrier is placed to increase the friction between the barrier and the surface.
 14. The barrier according to claim 1, wherein the friction increasing means comprises bolts or a metal grid.
 15. A method for resisting vehicle ramming attacks, comprising: deploying the barrier of claim
 1. 16. A method of deploying a barrier comprising the steps of: deploying a plurality of individual barrier units in a linear arrangement to form a barrier; and connecting the plurality of individual barrier units with a relatively rigid energy transfer means; wherein the energy transfer means comprises at least one continuous member extending along the length of the plurality of individual barrier units that is connected to each individual barrier unit in the plurality.
 17. A kit comprising a plurality of barrier units that can be positioned in a linear arrangement having a length, and a relatively rigid energy transfer means wherein the energy transfer means comprises at least one continuous member that can extend along the length of the plurality of individual barrier units and that can be connected to each individual barrier unit in the plurality such that when a force is applied to one individual barrier unit in the plurality, the energy transfer means transfers part of the energy associated with the applied force to other individual barrier units in the plurality of individual barrier units. 